When you are in search of a gaming laptop, all you would be looking out for the machine you desire would be the techie aspects like the configuration, its graphics card, whether it will be able to support high-end games like Fortnight, PUBG, etc.
But the one deciding factor that actually makes you buy one would be the cost. With all the high specs stuffed into one machine, it will be time tiring to select the best cheap gaming laptop under 600 while having decent or should we say more than decent specs to be worth all the money you put in.
Here is where we pitch in. But before we give our list of top 10 best gaming laptops under $600, here is our special pick!
Best Pick- Acer Nitro 5
Acer Nitro 5 offers a pretty powerful i5 with the 9th gen Intel core processor. The main deciding factor to buy this laptop under budget should be that this offers a huge room for upgrades having an additional two empty slots for drivers and a total of 2 slots for RAM. This means that even though right now you don’t have the budget, upgrading this laptop always remains at your fingertips anytime in the future.
Related: Best gaming laptops under 1500
List of best cheap gaming laptops under 600
- Acer Nitro 5 – Best overall
- Acer Aspire E 15 – Best battery
- Asus VivoBook K570ZD – Best for display
- Asus TUF FX505DD – VR ready
- Dell G3 Gaming Laptop – Best for storage
- HP Onyx Blizzard – Best lightweight
- Dell Inspiron 15 5000 – Best for price
- ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light – Best for warranty
Review of the best cheap gaming laptops under $600 of 2021
Acer Nitro 5 – Best overall, Period!
With a price range of as low as $600 or less, if you can grab the deal, the Acer Nitro 5 model is no surprise our pick. Power-packed with Intel Core i5-9300H Processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics with 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM for that glitch-free gaming experience. Supported with multiple ports including the new and powerful RJ45 ethernet port, this machine also provides 2 USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, a Kensington lock, and a headphone jack.
Adding to this is the new addition where we get to see an air exhaust vent on the right side alongside the ports. So this will promise you an enhanced gaming experience, even when you are playing high-end games. Keep in mind, this new addition might make the laptop a bit on the heavier side, but nonetheless, since the weight is evenly distributed in this laptop, one can easily place it on the lap without much effort.
Let’s talk about games, this laptop can easily support games like Battlefield on ultra-mode, Fortnight, Overwatch, and Rainbow six siege on epic mode, with PUBG, played best in high to medium settings, most laptops in this budget range difficult to offer.
What makes this more special is that even though you are on a budget now but want to buy a gaming laptop with more than decent specs, this laptop can be easily upgraded to higher configuration, at any point.
The chassis allows to extend above and beyond the limits by having a full size 2.5 inch hard drive space which can be replaced with an SSD, 2 empty slots, potentially making this laptop to have plenty of room for storage, 2 slots for RAM for upgrading to faster performance.
Pro tip: Use 11 Philips head screws for hassle-free disassembly.
All this under $600? Hell yes! The Acer Nitro 5 we call it a budget beast, easily fits in all the requirements to satisfy a gamer, squeezing out maximum performance without being heavy on your pocket.
Pros
- High performing NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics
- Air vents on the right side, back, and underneath the laptop
- 2 Extra drivers, 1 extra RAM port
- Dedicated numeric keypad
- Matte finish-making it easy to clean the fingerprints easily
Cons
- No slot for SD card
- Not a great camera
Acer Aspire E 15 – Best battery
Whether you prefer an immersive gaming experience or want to play more titles, the Acer Aspire E 15 has got your back. It comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core i5 with a speed of up to 3.4GHz which should give you the power to explore a large number of titles with minimal or no lags at all. For faster game load, this affordable gaming laptop comes with 256GB SSD—and that is not even all you will get.
The Acer Aspire E 15 draws you into the world of your game with a Full HD LED-lit IPS display. The quality of the display as well as the performance is further boosted by its NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics card. With this, you will never miss any detail in the background of your game.
If you love outdoor gaming, it should interest you to know that this budget gaming laptop boast of up to 15 hours of battery life. If you don’t mind the 5.27 weight, you definitely got the best budget gaming laptop for those with under 600 budget.
Pros
- Comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core i5
- High processor speed
- Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphics card
- Full HD IPS display
- Up to 15 hours battery life
Cons
- Low storage space
- Competing models have higher graphics card
- Slightly heavy
Asus VivoBook K570ZD – Best for display
One place that the Asus VivoBook K570ZD remains unrivalled is in display. In fact, it is one of the few under 600 budget gaming laptops that comes with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics.
This budget-friendly gaming laptop comes with a visual optimization technology with four display modes. The ASUS Tru2Life Video technology also intelligently optimizes the pixel in the video frame to the perfect contrast and sharpness. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card that comes with this gaming machine further enhance the visual details.
The Asus VivoBook K570ZD runs on AMD Quad-core Ryzen 5 2500U processor with a speed of up to 3.6GHz. This will give you the power to play a large number of latest titles. The backlit keyboard will also allow you to stay at the top of your controls irrespective of the environment. Just like our best overall, the Asus VivoBook K570ZD has a 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD that ensures fast game load. The battery lasts up to 9 hours and you will get up to 60% battery life after 49 minutes of charging. This affordable gaming laptop weighs 4.32 pounds which makes it easy to handle.
Pros
- Advanced graphics card
- Tru2Life video technology for improved visuals
- High processor speed
- Backlit keyboard for poorly-lit environment
- 256GB SSD for faster game load
- Up to 9 hours of battery life
- Fingerprint sensor for improved security
- Lightweight and easy to handle
Cons
- Storage memory is low
Asus TUF FX505DD – Best for virtual reality
Virtual Reality is increasingly becoming popular among gamers. In fact, it is the next trend in the gaming industry.
The ASUS TUF FX505DD is Virtual Reality Ready. It is compatible with a large variety of VR hardware including Oculus, HTC, Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality Ultra. This affordable gaming laptop under 600 runs on AMD Ryzen 5 processor with a speed of 2.1GHz. Working with 8GB RAM means you will hardly run out of space and your gaming laptop can better deal with lags.
In a multiplayer games, you need to be able to spot your enemies before they see you. The ASUS TUF FX505DD offer a Full HD display which is vital in a multiplayer game. It also has the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 that further enhance your view. The addition of a backlit keyboard means you can play anywhere you want, irrespective of the lighting condition of your environment. This best cheap gaming laptop of 2021 is quite a load to carry around at 5.93 pounds. It may not be the best for outdoor gaming considering that the battery lasts under 5 hours.
Pros
- Dedicated graphics card
- 256GB SSD for faster game load
- Compatible with several virtual reality hardware
- Full HD display
Cons
- Slightly heavy
- Processor speed is low
- Storage space is low
- Average battery life
ASUS TUF FX505DT
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Dell G3 Gaming Laptop – Best for storage
The first feature a heavy gamer will check in a gaming laptop is the storage space. A large storage space will give you the opportunity to carry all your titles wherever you go.
The Dell G3 fills that space with a 1TB hard drive. It is not just about the storage space. The Dell G3 runs on the 8th Generation Intel Core i5 with a speed of up to 3.9GHz. This pairs well with an 8GB RAM to give you a superfast performance that can handle a number of AAA games without lags. This budget gaming laptop also gives you the power to upgrade your RAM up to 32GB.
The Dell G3 also gives you an unrivaled clarity. It has a Full HD IPS anti-glare display. This feature also protects your eyes from undue strain during long gaming session. It also has a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 with 4GB memory for topnotch visual quality. It has a backlit keyboard that gives you total control irrespective of your gaming environment. Outdoor gamers will also be getting over 6 hours of battery life. On the down side, the Dell G3 is slightly heavy at 5.18 pounds. It also runs on a single processor which can be limiting.
Pros
- Large storage space
- Full HD IPS anti-glare display
- Backlit keyboard for poorly-lit environment
- Dedicated graphics card
- Expandable RAM
- High processor speed
- Up to 6 hours of battery life
Cons
- Slightly heavy
- Runs on 1 processor
Further reading:
9 Refurbished gaming laptops
gaming laptops
HP Onyx Blizzard – Best lightweight
You often miss out on the good stuff when you skimp on weight. The HP Onyx Blizzard is one of the budget gaming laptops that strikes a good balance between weight and performance. It weighs only 4.87 pounds making it one of the lightest in this category.
It runs on the 7th Generation quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with a speed of 2.5GHz which can go up to 3.5GHz using the Intel Turbo Boost Technology. The 1TB storage memory gives you enough space to carry all your titles while the 12GB Ram keeps you on top of performance.
The HP Onyx Blizzard offers immersive visual and audio. This is due to its Full HD IPS anti-glare display and the dual speakers with B&) PLAY. The graphics card for this gaming laptop is AMD Radeon RX 550. Although it is a good option, high-end gaming laptops usually stick with NVIDIA GeForce. This affordable gaming laptop is also great for outdoor gaming, thanks to its 10. 5 hours of battery life. Like most gaming laptops within this budget, the HP Onyx Blizzard comes with a backlit keyboard that helps you to stay in control of the action.
Pros
- Full HD IPS anti-glare display
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Large storage space
- Excellent audio quality
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Backlit keyboard for poorly-lit environment
Cons
- Without boost processor speed is average
- Processor is not the latest core i5
- Not the most advanced graphics card
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 – Best for price
If you are keen on finding the best cheap gaming laptop under 600 at the lowest price, the Dell Inspiron 15 5000 will be an instant jackpot.
It comes with a Full HD display boosted by the Intel Integrated 620 graphics coprocessor which combines with 8GB RAM to give you premium performance. It runs on the 8th Generation Intel Quad Core i5 with a speed of up to 3.4GHz which gives you enough power to play recent titles with little problems. All these is packed in a sleek case which can complement your outfit.
The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 also offers a touchscreen True-life functionality on a Full HD display. In addition to seeing the fine details at the background, it also offers you a unique input method that will come handy with certain games.
This affordable gaming has 1TB hard disk with an option of SSD. That is enough space to carry all your titles and faster game boot. The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 is just 4.8 pounds which will be easy for you to carry around and offer over 5 hours of battery life which is great for outdoor gaming. It also has a backlit keyboard which is great when playing in an environment with poor light.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Backlit keyboard for poorly-lit environment
- Large storage space with an option of SSD
- Full HD display
- Up to 5 hours of battery life
Cons
- Process speed is extremely low without boost
- Graphics card is not as powerful as NVIDIA GeForce
ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light – Best for warranty
The ASUS VivoBook 15 scores high on a number of parameters and the most obvious would be the extremely lightweight of 3.5 pounds. The base is arched at an angle that makes typing easier while the Nano Edge bezel gives you a larger view angle. However, it is not all about the design.
The ASUS VivoBook 15 runs on the powerful AMD Quad Core r5-3500u processor with up to 3.6GHz speed. The 15.6” screen offer Full HD anti-glare display which is further enhanced by the ASUS splendid software. Online gamers will also love its superfast WiFi connection.
Although NVIDIA GeForce has become a necessary coprocessor for gaming laptops, ASUS VivoBook 15 comes with the AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 which is also as powerful. With the over 8 hours of battery life, you will have more time outdoor gaming experience, not forgetting the backlit keyboard which helps you to stay in control irrespective of the light quality of your environment. The most obvious let down of this budget gaming laptop is the low storage space. Nevertheless, the fact that the storage is SSD means you get a faster boot time.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and easy to handle
- Up to 8 hours of battery life
- Backlit keyboard for poorly-lit environment
- Full HD anti-glare display
- 256GB SSD for faster game load
- High processor speed
Cons
- The storage space is disappointing
Alternative cheap gaming laptops for $200 extra
Rev up your budget by $200 and you should be able to get a gaming laptop that offer even more compared to what you will get with the under $600. Adding a few hundred dollars will get you dedicated graphics which is capable of running the high-end games. We have a few laptops to suggest for additional $200.
Acer Nitro 5 – Best for $800 budget
One thing that is certain is that if you can afford $100 extra, you should be able to get a gaming laptop with NVIDIA GeForce graphics coprocessor. However, if you place a lot of emphasis on price, you will easily fall for the Acer Nitro 5. This elegant budget gaming laptop runs on the 7th Generation Intel Quad Core i5 with a speed of up to 3.5GHz. It has the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB of dedicated RAM. This works well with the Full HD IPS display to give you a spotless and immersive viewing experience.
Check out the list of 10 best gaming laptops under 800
As a result of the dual fan, your laptop will stay cool throughout your gaming session. There is more to the Acer Nitro 5 including the Acer TrueHArmony Technology & Dolby Audio that gives out premium sound as well as the alluring red backlit keyboard. You will continue to enjoy your laptop when outdoor for up to 8.5 hours. However, this budget-friendly gaming laptop disappoints in storage space. It also seems a little bulky and difficult to handle at 5.51 pounds.
Pros
- Immersive sound from the Acer TrueHArmony Technology & Dolby Audio
- Full HD display
- Advanced graphics card with higher dedicate memory
- Backlit keyboard for environment with poor lighting
- High processor speed
- Dual fan for better cooling
Cons
- Not the most recent core i5
- Slightly heavy
- Disappointing storage space
HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop – Best budget under $900
The HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop combines power and style allowing you to enjoy your favorite titles in style. It runs on the 8th Generation Intel Quad Core i5 processor which has a speed that lies within the range of 2.3 to 4.0GHz. To ensure optimal graphics, this affordable gaming laptop has NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card. Combine this with a 15.6” Full HD anti-glare IPS micro-edge display and you get an unrivaled visual quality. The HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop also has a high refresh rate of 144Hz—but it doesn’t end there.
The HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop has a large storage space (1TB) that lets you carry all your favorite games with you. It also has an 8GB RAM that combines well with the processor to keep lags during gaming session away. Further expanding your gaming experience are dual speakers, HP Audio Boost, and tuning by B&O PLAY. Plug in your gaming headset and you stop feeling your environment. Another important point to mention is that you will be getting a battery life of over 7 hours. Although not too heavy at 5.18 pounds, the HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop can still be produce handling difficulties.
Pros
- Backlit keyboard for poorly-lit environment
- Full HD anti-glare IPS display
- High screen refresh rate
- Immersive sound quality
- Large storage space
- Up to 7 hours of battery life
Cons
- Memory is not upgradable
- Slightly heavy
Asus TUF FX505DT – Best for graphics
If you are a sucker for graphics, the ASUS TUF FX505DT will quickly grab your attention. It runs on the Quad Core AMD Ryzen 5 processor with a speed of 3.7GHz. This superfast processor pairs with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with a dedicated 4GB RAM to deliver a glare-free crystal clear video. It also offer a Full HD IPS-type display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The thin bezel gives you a wider viewing angle which is a great asset when you are gaming with a small group of friends. It is also important to mention the RGB keyboard which is both classy and helps highlight controls when gaming in an environment with poor light.
The ASUS TUF FX505DT disappoints when it comes to storage space. You will only be able to carry a few titles at a time but there are other ways that this budget gaming machine make up for that. One of them is the anti-dust cooling system which plays the dual role of eliminating dust and helping your gaming laptop to stay cool during extended gameplay. ASUS TUF FX505DT feels light at 4.85 pounds but its battery will not take you beyond 4 hours making it a bad choice for outdoor gaming.
Pros
- Advanced NVIDIA GeForce graphics card
- High processor speed
- Full HD IPS display
- RGB backlit keyboard which highlights game controls
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
- Anti-dust cooling system
Cons
- Battery does not last up to 5 hours
- Disappointing storage space
Buying Guide For The Best Gaming Laptop Under 600
A little change in price can mean more performance when you are looking at laptops within the price range of $500 to $700. It can get confusing which is why you have to analyze all the various components to make sure that they all come together to form the big picture of the kind of experience that you would want to have.
Processor: Within this range it is a battle between Intel core i5 and AMD R series. If you are going for Intel, make sure it is at least the 7th Generation. On the other hand, if you are going for AMD, make sure it is at least the R5. These processors deliver powerful performance if backed by the right accompanying accessory hardware. It’s not all about the processor anyway, you should consider the speed too. A processor with less than 2.5GHz speed will definitely encounter lags when playing AAA titles.
Display Resolution: Majority of the gaming laptops at $600 offer Full HD display and you should not fall for anything less. The quality of the display has a long way to go in determining the kind of experience you will get. Grainy or blurry displays can also have a negative impact on your eyes.
RAM Size: Look out for gaming laptops that have at least 8GB RAM. You will still encounter lags and occasional forced reboots if you have a system with a low RAM size. This can ruin your gaming experience.
Hard Disk Space: The amount of space you will get can depend on the type of drive that come with your laptop. The Steady State Drive (SSD) which enhance boot speed and game load speed are usually smaller than the HDD. If you don’t have a lot of titles to carry, 256GB should be a good memory for you.
Video Graphics: If you can get the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 for $600, it is definitely a good choice. However, at this level, there are a lot of close substitutes that can take the place of NVIDIA including AMD and Intel graphics coprocessors.
Weight: It is hard to keep a gaming laptop packed with cool functionalities without kicking up the weight. The weight can vary from 3 to 6 pounds in this category. If you love moving around with your laptop all the time, it would be nice to find the balance. But don’t lose sight of the processor and visual quality.
Price: Operating within a strict budget can be a huge limitation. Whenever you can, always look at the options available to you at $100 extra and you might be making a great investment that will remain viable for years even as gaming technologies continue to advance.
Bestsellers under 600 dollars for gaming
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I get a gaming laptop under 600 dollars?
Yes you can. Majority of the gaming laptops on our list are well below $600
- What should I look out for when I want to buy a gaming laptop?
The RAM, screen resolution, video graphics and the type of processor and its speed are some of the key components you should thoroughly examine before buying a gaming laptop.
- Will carrying my gaming laptop around damage it?
No. Once you keep it protected from adverse weather and strong impact, it is OK to carry it around.
- How long will the battery of my gaming laptop last?
This varies with the manufacturer. However, this varies within a broad range of 2 to 6 hours. It is important to note that the battery life will continue to drop over time.
- Can I play AAA titles with my cheap gaming laptop?
Yes. You should be able to play some AAA titles. Nevertheless, prepare for lags where the game specification is high.
Conclusion
It is actually possible to invest in a laptop under 600 dollars and still enjoy amazing game titles with it. You might experience lags or glares with some of these titles. However, in the end you will have an idea of what these games feels like. The options are high within 600 dollars budget range and you need to be wise about your decision. We have streamlined the options and given you alternatives which offer better functionality at a slightly higher price. This is the farthest we can go. It is up to you to take action.
Further reading:
Best gaming laptop under 800
Best gaming laptop under 1500
Cheap gaming laptop under 200